2023 Lithuania–Latvia pipeline explosion

On 13 January 2023, an explosion occurred on the Lithuania–Latvia Interconnection in Pasvalio Vienkiemiai, Pasvalys District Municipality, Lithuania.[2][3]

2023 Lithuania–Latvia pipeline explosion
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Area around Pasvalys District
Date13 January 2023 (2023-01-13)
Timec. 16:57 (EET, UTC+2)
LocationJoniškėlis Street, Pasvalio Vienkiemiai, Pasvalys District Municipality, Panevėžys County, Lithuania
Coordinates56°3′21.6″N 24°22′15.6″E
TypeGas explosion
MotiveAccidental (presumed)[1]
ParticipantsUnder investigation
Deaths0
Non-fatal injuries0

At 16:57, Police department of Pasvalys District received the call about the fire in Pasvalio Vienkiemiai village.[4] Flames reached up to 50 m in height and could be seen at a distance of at least 17 km. As a precaution the entire village of Valakėliai was evacuated.[2] As a result Lithuania stopped natural gas transit to Latvia, while consumers in northern Lithuania were supplied by alternative pipelines.[5] 18km of pipeline was disconnected from the main grid to allow gas to burn out. Firefighters extinguished the flames around 21:00 local time.[1] By midnight Lithuania restored gas transit between Lithuania and Latvia at reduced capacity.[5]

Cause

According to the Amber Grid Chief Executive, they do not have evidence that the explosion was an attack, however said that it will be investigated.[6]

On 14 January 2023, representative of Panevėžys County Police Office confirmed that the cause is current under investigation in line with Lithuanian Penal Code's article 278 punishable by prison sentence up to 5 years.[7]

Explosion

At 16:57, Police department of Pasvalys District received the call about the fire in Pasvalio Vienkiemiai village after a locals heard a loud noise. Flames reached up to 50 m in height and could be seen at a distance of at least 17 km. Buildings within 1km radius overheated above 100 C, therefore firefighters had to cool down the buildings with water.[7] Firefighters used drone to scan the area and monitor fire spreading.[8]

18km of pipeline was disconnected from the main Amber Grid system to allow gas to burn out. Fire stopped at around 21:00 local time.[1]

Evacuations

Nearby village of Valakėliai was instructed to evacuate completely. Temporary rescue centre was established in Joniškėlis Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė Gymnasium building with 120 beds provided for the ones seeking shelter.[2] On 14 January 2023, locals returned to Valakėliai village.[8]

Locals from villages of Paberžiai and Balsiai were advised to evacuate and temporary shelter in Pasvalys Lėvens primary school.[2] Pasvalys District Municipality officials encourages outside of evacuation zone to close all doors and windows and remain calm.

Transport

All traffic via KK150 national route in Pasvalys District was closed and traffic diverted via rural gravel roads.[2] Due high temperature from the flames the surface of KK150 road was damaged and at least 2km of road was no longer suitable for use.[8]

Repairs

On 14 January 2023, Gintautas Gegužinskas, Pasvalys District mayor confirmed that it will take minimum a week to repair the damaged Lithuania–Latvia Interconnection.[7]

On 16 January 2023 13:30 local time, the repairs were fully finished and gas supply to Latvia restored at full capacity.[9] Lithuania exporting up to 90 GWh per day of natural gas to Latvia via the pipeline after the repairs.[10]

References
  1. Murphy, Matt (13 January 2023). "Lithuanian gas pipeline hit by large explosion". bbc.co.uk. BBC News. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  2. "Dujotiekio sprogimas Pasvalio rajone: ugnis lokalizuota, gyventojai raginami užsidaryti langus ir likti namuose". lrt.lt (in Lithuanian). Lithuanian National Radio and Television. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  3. "Aiškėja sprogimo Pasvalio rajone detalės: gyventojams dujų tiekimas nesutriks, teigia, kad piktybinio poveikio dujotiekiui nemato". lrt.lt (in Lithuanian). Lithuanian National Radio and Television. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  4. "Lietuvā netālu no Latvijas eksplodējis gāzes vads; remonts var aizņemt nedēļas (plkst. 20.45)". delfi.lv (in Latvian). DELFI LV. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  5. "Pasvalio rajone sprogo dujotiekis: pliūptelėjo apie 50 metrų aukščio liepsna". delfi.lt (in Lithuanian). DELFI LT. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  6. Sytas, Andrius (13 January 2023). "Lithuania-Latvia gas pipeline blows up, but no sign of attack". reuters.com. Reuters. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  7. "Po dujų vamzdžio sprogimo Pasvalio rajone už 800 metrų esančio pastato sienos įkaito iki virimo temperatūros". delfi.lt (in Lithuanian). DELFI LT. 14 January 2023. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  8. "Suvaldžius dujotiekio avariją Pasvalio rajone, pavojaus nebėra". lrt.lt (in Lithuanian). Lithuanian National Radio and Television. 14 January 2023. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  9. "Suremontavus dujotiekį Pasvalio rajone, visiškai atkurti dujų tiekimo pajėgumai į Latviją". lrt.lt (in Lithuanian). Lithuanian National Radio and Television. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  10. "Amber Grid: Suremontavus dujotiekį Pasvalio rajone, visiškai atkurti dujų tiekimo pajėgumai į Latviją". ambergrid.lt (in Lithuanian). Amber Grid. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
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